Page 24 of Stalked By the Alphas
I think about it for a moment. “Not really. Just theusual stress of running the shop. And...” I trail off, not sure how to explain the vague sense of unease I’ve been feeling.
“And?” Dr Winters prompts gently.
I sigh. “I don’t know. I just feel like something’s off. Like I’m being watched or followed. But I know that’s just paranoia talking.”
Dr Winters nods thoughtfully. “I see. And when did these symptoms start? Was it immediately after you began taking the tablets?”
“No,” I admit. “It was gradual. At first, I thought they were really helping with my anxiety. But then things started getting weird.”
She leans back in her chair, a slight frown creasing her brow. “Hazel, I want you to know that the herbal blend I gave you shouldn’t cause any of these symptoms. It’s a very mild, natural formula designed to gently ease anxiety.”
“And it was at the beginning,” I say, starting to panic. She is telling me everything I didn’t want to hear. “But could it be that this is happening over time? You know, the more I take, the more likely this is to happen?”
She slowly shakes her head. “No, Hazel. I promise you, the tablets are safe.”
My breath catches. “So, you’re saying I’m going crazy?”
“No, Hazel. I’m not saying that at all. What I’m saying is that these symptoms are likely not caused bythe herbal tablets. We need to look at other potential factors.”
I slump in my chair, feeling a mix of relief and renewed anxiety. “But if it’s not the tablets, then what is it? Am I just losing my mind?”
“There could be many explanations for what you’re experiencing. Stress, lack of sleep, or even an underlying medical condition could cause similar symptoms. I think, under these circumstances, it would be wise to see your regular doctor for a full check-up just to rule out any physical causes. Once a diagnosis comes back, I’m happy to work with you and the doctor to find a natural remedy if you want me to.”
I nod slowly, trying to process this. “So, you think I should keep taking the tablets?”
Dr Winters hesitates. “If you’re comfortable continuing with them, yes. They aren’t causing these symptoms. However, if you’d feel better stopping them for now, that’s perfectly fine, too. We can always revisit herbal remedies once we’ve got to the bottom of what’s really going on.”
I chew my lip, considering. Part of me wants to stop taking them immediately, just in case. But another part of me remembers how much they helped initially. “I think I’ll keep taking them for now. But I’ll make an appointment with my doctor as well.”
“That sounds like a good plan,” Dr Winters smiles encouragingly.
“Okay. Thank you for your time.” I rise and leave, feeling conflicted. Part of me is relieved that the tabletsaren’t causing my symptoms, but another part is even more unsettled. If it’s not the tablets, then it has to be me.
As I walk to my shop, I try to focus on the positives. I have a plan now - see my regular doctor, get checked out, rule out any physical causes. It’s a start.
I unlock the door to the bookshop and step inside. I flick on the lights and make my way to the counter.
I scream as I see the masked magician sitting next to the cash register, its taped face frozen in an eerie grin, its glossy tears almost mocking.
With my heart pounding, I try to calm down.Is this real or not?
There is only one way to find out. With trembling hands, I reach out to touch it. It’s solid, real. So far, it’s not a hallucination.
“No,” I whisper, stumbling backwards. “This isn’t happening.”
But it is happening. Someone was in my shop. Someone left this here for me to find.
I grab my phone, ready to call the police, when I hesitate. What if they don’t believe me? What if I sound crazy again? That officer yesterday probably thinks I need locking up. What if he does? What if he thinks I’m making this all up and arrests me for wasting police time?
I stare at the masked doll in my hands, my mind racing. This is real. I’m not imagining it. But how did it get here? Who put it here and why?
My hands shake as I set the doll back down on thecounter. I need proof this time. Proof that I’m not losing my mind.
I hold up my phone and snap several photos of the doll from different angles. Then I take a video, panning slowly around the shop to show it’s really here in my store.
“Okay,” I mutter to myself. “Stay calm. Think this through.”
Someone must have broken in overnight to leave this here. I need to check if anything else was disturbed or taken.
